Ras Nouadhibou, Peninsula at Atlantic border of Western Sahara and Mauritania.
Ras Nouadhibou is a peninsula that extends roughly 60 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean and forms a natural border between Western Sahara and Mauritania. Its coastline is marked by white cliffs that give the headland its distinctive look.
Portuguese sailors reached this headland in 1441 and named it Cabo Branco. Spanish settlers later claimed the territory in 1885.
The place carries names from multiple cultures: Spanish speakers call it Cabo Blanco, French speakers Cap Blanc, and in Arabic it is known as Ras Nouadhibou. These different names reflect the region's history of contact between seafaring peoples.
The place is home to a Mediterranean monk seal colony and serves as a winter shelter for many water birds such as ruddy turnstones and terns. Visitors should understand that wildlife here is sensitive and care is needed.
In 1997, about two-thirds of the monk seal population here vanished due to natural events. This incident became a pivotal moment for understanding how vulnerable this already endangered species truly is.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
